Infrastructure

These Are the Construction Methods Used for the World's Most Extreme Bridges

Mississippi River - New Orleans
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24/7 Wall St. Insights:

  • Modern bridges use advanced materials and construction techniques to survive in harsh environments. 
  • From resisting harsh weather to reinforcing against earthquakes and unstable geology, engineers must use cutting-edge techniques to build bridges in extreme conditions.
  • Also, read “The Next NVIDIA.”

Building extreme bridges requires coming up with new construction methods and using unique materials. Often, people dream and then have to figure out how to make those dreams a reality!

We’ll explore some of the times this has occurred in the world of bridge building. These structures are marvels of engineering and often lead to the production of new methods. 

Why Are We Covering This?

View of Grand Canal with Rialto Bridge and gondoliers in Venice, Italy. Landscape with Rialto Bridge and gondola on the Grand Canal in Venice, Italy, Europe.
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Bridges have evolved a lot over the last few decades.

Bridge construction is a surprisingly large market. The market size in 2024 is approximately 113.57 billion, and that’s only expected to grow. It only makes sense that we’d cover such a big industry.

New, modern bridges stand in stark contrast to the oldest bridges in the world

1. The Millau Viaduct

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This very long bridge has a unique design.

The Millau Viaduct is the tallest bridge in the world. It was constructed using steel and concrete, with reinforced pylons and strong cables to minimize the number of support columns needed. 

2. Akashi Kaikyō Bridge

Map of Japan, world tourism, travel destination, world trade and economy
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The Akashi Kaikyō Bridge was built in Japan.

The Akashi Kaikyō Bridge is located in Japan and holds the record as the world’s longest suspension bridge. The area is also seismically active, so the bridge had to be built with flexible joints to withstand earthquakes. 

3. The Øresund Bridge

Denmark flag with big folds waving close up under the studio light indoors. The official symbols and colors in fabric banner
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This bridge is located between Denmark and Sweden.

The Øresund Bridge connects Denmark and Sweden over the sea. Special construction techniques like submerged tunnels and reinforced pylons were used to ensure stability. 

4. The Qingdao Haiwan Bridge

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The seawater takes a serious toll on this bridge.

The Qingdao Haiwan Bridge stretches over 26 miles across Jiaozhou Bay. The bridge had to be built using corrosion-resistant materials to endure the saltwater. 

5. The Golden Gate Bridge

Composition about wildfires and climate change concept. Bottom view of smoky orange sky on Golden Gate bridge of San Francisco city from lime point. California fires in United States.
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This famous bridge is also an engineering wonder.

The Golden Gate Bridge is a well-known landmark in San Francisco, and it is also one of the most wind-resistant bridges. The design uses flexible towers and keeps aerodynamics in mind to keep it stable in strong winds. 

6. The Rion-Antirion Bridge

Skyline of Athenth with Moanstiraki square and Acropolis hill, Athens Greece
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The Rion-Antirion Bridge was built in Greece.

The Rion-Antirion Bridge was built in a very seismically active region in Europe. It uses special seismic isolation bearings and a floating foundation to allow it to shift during an earthquake. 

Engineering Advances

sunset at Memphis-Arkansas bridge over mississippi river
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Modern bridges are made with ultra-strong materials.

Materials like high-strength steel, high-performance concrete, and carbon fiber have changed how modern bridges are made. These materials are stronger while also being more lightweight. Many even require less maintenance over time. 

Cable-Stayed Bridges

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Cable bridges are some of the most common today.

This special style of bridge uses fewer pilings. Strong steel cables transfer loads to towers. This method reduces construction time and costs. It’s especially helpful in deep waters and challenging terrains. 

Building Bridges to Survive Earthquakes

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Bridges in earthquake-prone regions must be extra-strong.

Many of the bridges we discussed were built over earthquake-prone areas, and engineers have had to come up with creative solutions to prevent the buildings from falling. 

Prefabrication Techniques

Wickenburg, Arizona | Scenery of a bridge over the Hassayampa River in Wickenburg, Arizona, the USA
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Many modern bridges are at least partially made off-sight.

Many modern bridges are built largely off-site and then transported to the location. This method reduces construction time and makes quality control a bit easier. 

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